Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 24, 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 3, 2026 |
| Effective date | July 4, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Shipowners and vessels from the unified surface longline census operating in the Atlantic Ocean |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Campaign | 2026 |
| Spain's quota North Atlantic | 20,309.50 tonnes |
| Spain's quota South Atlantic | 12,498.27 tonnes |
| Individual vessel limit APFE north | 476,831.74 kg |
| Individual vessel limit APFE south | 449,039.64 kg |
| Deduction north quota (Mediterranean fleet) | 1% of north quota |
Shipowners of the Spanish surface longline fleet operating in the Atlantic now have the final numbers for the 2026 campaign: individual quotas set, common management mechanism available, and a preventive closure threshold at 95% of global consumption. The Resolution of June 24, 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, published in the BOE on July 3 and in force since July 4, transfers to domestic law the quotas assigned to Spain by the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) and incorporated into European law.
Knowing these limits precisely is not only a legal obligation: it is the basis for planning the season, deciding whether to request common quota management, and anticipating a possible early closure of the campaign.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution regulates the blue shark (Prionace glauca) fishing campaign for the unified surface longline census fleet in the Atlantic Ocean, both in the north stock and south stock. The essential points are:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Global quota Spain — North Atlantic | 20,309.50 tonnes |
| Global quota Spain — South Atlantic | 12,498.27 tonnes |
| Individual limit — APFE north vessel | 476,831.74 kg |
| Individual limit — APFE south vessel | 449,039.64 kg |
| Mixed vessels (north and south) | Differentiated limits by zone |
| North quota deduction | 1% intended to cover accidental catches of blue shark by the Mediterranean swordfish fleet |
| Common quota management | Request to the Directorate General for Sustainable Fisheries; resolution within 7 business days |
| Preventive campaign closure | The Secretariat may close it when global consumption reaches 95% of the quota |
The deduction of 1% of the north quota responds to the need to cover accidental blue shark catches by the Mediterranean fleet when fishing for swordfish. This percentage is deducted before distributing individual limits among Atlantic north vessels.
Vessels with authorization for both zones (mixed) have differentiated limits assigned: they must separately monitor their consumption in the north stock and south stock, with no possibility of transferring quota between zones unless expressly authorized through the common management mechanism.
Economic and operational impact
The main operational impact is the individual catch ceiling: no vessel can exceed its assigned limit without incurring an infraction. This requires shipowners to maintain rigorous and real-time control of quota consumption throughout the campaign.
The common management mechanism is the key tool for optimizing quota use at the company or shipowner group level. If a vessel foresees not consuming its limit, it can transfer or share quota with another within the same group, subject to authorization from the Directorate General for Sustainable Fisheries. The resolution period is 7 business days, allowing agile planning during the season.
The 95% threshold of global consumption is the trigger for preventive closure. When the fleet as a whole reaches that level, the General Secretariat of Fisheries may order the cessation of activity before exhausting the total quota. This protects the stock but may interrupt campaigns in full operation. Shipowners must monitor the fleet's aggregate consumption, not just their own.
Who does it affect?
- Shipowners of vessels registered in the unified surface longline census with authorization for the North Atlantic (APFE north).
- Shipowners of vessels with authorization for the South Atlantic (APFE south).
- Vessels with mixed authorization (north and south), which must manage differentiated limits by zone.
- Fishing companies managing fleets with multiple vessels that can benefit from common quota management.
- Indirectly, the Mediterranean swordfish fleet, whose accidental blue shark catches are covered by the 1% deducted from the north quota.
Practical example
A shipping company manages three vessels with APFE north. Each has an individual limit of 476,831.74 kg. Mid-campaign, vessel A has consumed 90% of its quota (429,148 kg), vessel B only 60% (286,099 kg), and vessel C 75% (357,623 kg).
Vessel A is at risk of exhausting its limit before the campaign ends. The company can request from the Directorate General for Sustainable Fisheries common quota management to redistribute vessel B's surplus to vessel A. The resolution must arrive within a maximum of 7 business days, so the request must be submitted with sufficient advance notice to not lose fishing days.
At the same time, the company must monitor the aggregate consumption of the entire Spanish fleet: if the set of APFE north vessels approaches 95% of the 20,309.50 t assigned to Spain, the Secretariat may close the campaign even though vessel A still has available quota.
What should shipowners do now?
- Verify the individual limit assigned to each vessel: Confirm whether the vessel operates with APFE north (476,831.74 kg), APFE south (449,039.64 kg), or mixed authorization with differentiated limits by zone.
- Implement a real-time quota consumption tracking system: Preventive closure can be activated at 95% of global consumption, not just when exhausting the individual limit. It is essential to also know the aggregate consumption of the Spanish fleet.
- Evaluate whether to request common quota management: If managing more than one vessel, analyze whether quota redistribution between them optimizes the campaign. The request is submitted to the Directorate General for Sustainable Fisheries and resolved within 7 business days.
- Plan the common management request in advance: Do not wait until a vessel is on the brink of its limit. The 7-day resolution period can mean loss of fishing days if the request arrives late.
- Take into account the 1% deduction in the North Atlantic: The quota effectively available for APFE north vessels already incorporates this deduction. There is no additional quota to recover.
Frequently asked questions
What is the blue shark catch limit per vessel in the 2026 campaign?
It depends on the vessel's authorization. Vessels with APFE north have an individual limit of 476,831.74 kg. Vessels with APFE south have a limit of 449,039.64 kg. Vessels with mixed authorization have differentiated limits for each zone, which must be managed separately.
When can the 2026 blue shark campaign be closed early?
The General Secretariat of Fisheries may preventively close the campaign when the global consumption of the Spanish fleet reaches 95% of the assigned quota: 20,309.50 t in the North Atlantic and 12,498.27 t in the South. The closure may occur even if a specific vessel has not exhausted its individual limit.
How is common quota management for blue shark requested?
Shipowners must submit the request to the Directorate General for Sustainable Fisheries. The resolution period is 7 business days. It is recommended to request it with sufficient advance notice to not lose days of activity while waiting for authorization.
Why is 1% of the North Atlantic blue shark quota deducted?
That 1% is reserved to cover accidental blue shark catches by the Mediterranean fleet when fishing for swordfish. The deduction is already incorporated in the individual limits assigned to APFE north vessels, so there is no additional quota available.
When does the 2026 blue shark quota resolution come into force?
The Resolution of June 24, 2026 was published in the BOE on July 3, 2026 and came into force on July 4, 2026.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-14481